Burton calls for big effort

Sudbury rugby captain Justin Burton will ask his team-mates for another big performance on Saturday when struggling Norwich are the visitors to Whittome Field (3pm).

The Blues bounced back from their surprising 36-0 defeat on December 5 at Cantabrigian with a 48-0 London League Division Two North East victory at Campion last week, running in eight tries. And Burton wants them to maintain that standard before the two-week Christmas and New Year break.

Norwich, who started the season with four straight wins, have lost their last three games, and dropped to fifth, two places behind Sudbury. Norwich have won five, and Sudbury seven, of their opening 10 games.

“They are in a bit of freefall at the moment, and will be like a wounded animal,” said Burton. “They will come here determined to do well, so it’s vital we put in a big performance.”

Burton praised the players for their display at Campion. “We played well as a team, and dominated in the scrum. It was a good all-round performance, and we must maintain the standard,” he said.

“But there are still a couple of things to be worked on, like ball retention in the contact area. We’ve been working on this during training this week.”

Shaun Smith, who missed the Campion match after suffering a concussion at Cantabs, has not been included in Saturday’s squad.

Saturday’s game is the halfway mark in the 22-game season, and action resumes on January 9 when Sudbury are away to Romford and Gidea Park.